Location : MPNFL History » Mornington Peninsula Football League
The Mornington Peninsula Football League was formed on the 28th April 1934 with the amalgamation of the Peninsula Football Association and the Peninsula District Football Association.
THE STANDARD SATURDAY APRIL 21 1934
PENINSULA FOOT BALL
CONFERENCE HELD AT MELBOURNE
CONTROLLING BODIES ADVISED TO AMALGAMATE
P.D.F.A. AND M.P.F.L DELEGATES WILL CONFER
Resolutions passed by a conference arranged by the Victorian Junior Football Union and held at Harrison House?, Spring Street, Melbourne, last Friday night, may have a far-reaching effect upon Peninsula football. Delegates at the conference were: Victorian Junior Football Union: Messrs. A. Hayes (chairman), T. Young and F. J .Hill (secretary); Victorian Football League, Mr. L. H. McBrien: Victorian Football Association. Mr. R.I Keon-Cohen; P.D.F.A., Messrs. W. Cain (secretary) and J. Darroch: M.P.F.L., Messrs. J. A. Gloury (president) and C. F. Jewell (secretary).
The chairman explained that the conference was arranged with the object of clearing up the dispute which had arisen between the P.D.F.A and the M.P.F.L. as a result of the action of the M.P.F.L., which admitted Pearcedale club when such club had been refused a clearance by the P.D.F.A.
Mr. Cain told the meeting that an agreement was entered into by the M.P.F.L. and P.D.F.A. to recognise clearances between the two bodies, and complained that the M.P.F.L. had broken that agreement by admitting Pearcedale club without a clearance. The M.P.F.L. delegates admitted the action complained of by Mr. Cain, but stressed the point that the League, when it entered into the agreement, or rather understanding, concerning the transfer of individual players, did not consider that such agreement applied to clubs is a whole and that, if such interpretation had been given to the agreement, the League would not have entered into it. Correspondence relating to the matter was read by Mr. Jewell.
After discussion- Mr. Hill told the P.D.F.A. delegates that his union could do nothing to assist the association as no provision was made in the so-called agreement for its termination and no penalty clause was provided under which either party could be dealt with for a breach of the agreement. The only action that the P.D.F.A. could take was to disqualify players. He suggested; that the P.D.F.A. affiliate with the Victorian Country Football League, which would protect it from being filched of its clubs.
Mr Mc Brien said that he felt certain that the M.P .F.L would be granted patronage if it applied to the Victorian Country Football League for affiliation; but that the M.P.F.L. would control the Peninsula.
Mr Hill expressed the view that the affiliation of the P.D.F.A. with the Victorian Country Football League would hasten the desired amalgamation of the two controlling bodies on the. Peninsula, but the M.P.F.L. delegates dissented from this opinion.
Mr. Keon Cohen advocated the amalgamation of the two bodies. The minutes of conference of M.P.F;L. and P.D.F.A. delegates, held last year, were then tabled. Mr. Cain said that he personally was in favour of a further effort to bring about amalgamation, but he could not speak with the voice of the delegates of his body.
Mr. Gloury assured conference that his league would still welcome an amalgamation, and was prepared to bring it about this year provided that the P.D.F.A. came to a decision and agreed to meet M.P.F.L. delegates in conference not later than Monday, April 23.
The Peninsula delegates then retired and, on their return, were informed that: the meeting had passed the following resolutions:-
“1. In the opinion of conference, an agreement did exist between the Mornington League and the Peninsula Association? relating to the transfer of club’s and players from one to the other.
“2. The League was in error in construing the terms of the agreement as not relating to the transfer of clubs, but this conference is of the opinion that, in the absence of a properly drawn agreement, the League acted in good faith.
“3. Conference suggests as a basis of settlement of the dispute that: (a) The Peninsula Association formally grant a clearance to the Pearcedale club to the League; (b) that both bodies disband and a conference of all clubs on the Peninsula be called .immediately for, the purpose of forming a new body to control football in the district.
“4. This conference is strongly of the opinion that, in the best interests of football on the Peninsula, it is necessary that there should be only one controlling body which should, for the protection of clubs and players, affiliate with the Victorian Country Football? League. At meetings of the respective bodies, held early this week, it, was resolved to hold the suggested conference on Monday next.
THE STANDARD SATURDAY APRIL 28 1934
FOOTBALL MERGER
Association and League Disband and Amalgamate
Nineteen Clubs in Three Grades
The two bodies controlling Peninsula football, the District Association and League, decided as the result of a conference on Monday night at Mornington, to disband and amalgamate, with the 19 clubs in three grades, the whole to be governed by one executive. The conference was convened on the recommendation of a conference in Melbourne, and the merger is the consummation of leading officials’ hopes for many years. The decision was unanimous.
Every club of both bodies was represented and those present were the League President (Mr J. Gloury), the Association President (Mr M. Peters), Messrs. E. White and W. Stringer (Sorrento), Veale and Oates (Frankston), S. Hutchins and Allen (Mornington), McConaghy and Hawken (Somerville), McKenzie and Ward (Naval Depot), Whitlock and Barclay (Hastings), Noble and Allsop (Tyabb), Grierson and Drummond (Moorooduc), Laurissen and Volk (Red Hill), Bell and Conder (Crib Point), T. White and C. White (Pearcedale), Osborne and S. Wilson (Dromana), Barnes and Gray (Rosebud), Darroch and Wheatland (Seaford), Whittingham and Upton (Langwarrin), Benson and Buchanan (Flinders), C. Jewell (League Secretary), W. Cain (Association Secretary).
Mr. J. Gloury was elected chairman and Mr. Jewell secretary of the conference.
It was stated by the chairman that the terms advanced by the League at the last conference could be taken as a basis for this gathering. . Had the Association any concrete reason for refusing to amalgamate on a previous occasion?
Association representatives said there were no fundamental reasons except that last year they considered the amalgamation project too late for that season.
The secretary stated that if the amalgamation was agreed upon this new organisation would have direct representation on the Victorian Football League.
Notification was received from the Carrum club that it was joining the Federal League and had no further interest in the amalgamation project.
THE PRELIMINARIES
P.D.F.A. PROPOSALS
Before the decision was made to disband, the following conditions were discussed:-
Mr. Benson submitted conditions that the Association had framed recently for consideration. They were:
- That the three divisions proposed each have a separate set of officers.
A Flinders delegate explained that the condition had been framed to prevent interference by one grade in matters which concerned only another section. A and B grade would have their own president, secretary and officers, but C grade probably would not require them. This plan would lighten the work of the executive also.
League delegates thought this would be too cumbersome and would result in confusion. It was decided that should the amalgamation be brought about, the three divisions be controlled by one executive and that all delegates meet together, and that on matters of general policy every club be permitted to vote, but in matters connected only with each grade, the delegates of clubs in that grade only be allowed to vote. All accepted this as satisfactory.
- That the Federal District be not allowed to encroach on the area controlled by the Peninsula. League.
The secretary stated that if, the League’s boundaries were defined to the Country Football League, it would not permit the Federal League to take players from Peninsula territory. The boundary was fixed as the northern limit of the Frankston and Hastings Shire.
- That all gate money of finals and semi-finals from each grade be pooled, and after expenses had been paid, the balance be divided equally among teams.
This clause was accepted.
- That where towns have two teams players must be registered with the club, and the grade in which they wish to play, and in the event of any player wishing to transfer from one grade to another, he must, obtain a permit in the usual way.
It was agreed that the following rule be made:-“That by 1st July, each club having two teams must name 15 senior players who must be approved of by the League, and who will not be, allowed to play with the club’s junior team after that date.”
It was explained, in reply to queries that a rule would be made that a player be permitted to play with only one club during the season.
Other recommendations lapsed, as they had been provided for by the decision regarding the first condition.
The League’s reconditions were that the life members of both bodies become life members of the new League and that after the winding up of their affairs, the credit balance standing to League and Association be given to the new body. These were accepted unanimously.
DEFINING CLUB’S BOUNDARIES
Dromana delegates wanted the boundaries of each club defined by the conference, to prevent players living in a town playing with another town’s club.
It was suggested that the matter was wholly in the hands of the club to grant or refuse clearances.
A provisional grading of clubs as follows was accepted by both Association and League:-
A Grade – Frankston, Mornington, Sorrento, Somerville, Naval Depot, Hastings.
B Grade – Seaford, Rosebud, Red Hill, Hastings Seconds, Flinders, Crib Point, Dromana, Tyabb.
C Grade – Frankston Seconds, Langwarrin, Pearcedale, Sorrento Seconds?, Moorooduc.
LEAGUE AND ASSOCIATION DISBAND
It was decided that the conference should adjourn and each body meet separately to decide whether it would dissolve or otherwise.
The League at its meeting, when the Association informed it that it was agreeable to disband, carried the following ‘resolution:-
“That this League formally disband, subject to the executive officers carrying out the necessary winding up formalities.”
A similar’ motion was carried at the Association meeting.
Mr. W. S. Stringer was elected, a life member of the League before its dissolution, for his work during a connection of 11 years with the League.
When all delegates had re-assembled a motion was carried that a new body be formed comprising the clubs of the ex-District Association and ex League to be called the Mornington Peninsula? Football League.
An amendment was moved that the name be the Mornington Peninsula District? Football League, but this was rejected.
In closing the affairs of the League the president, said everyone felt that both bodies were losing something but those, who raised the League to the position it was then in would be gratified that the amalgamation had been brought about.
OFFICERS OF THE NEW LEAGUE
The following were elected:-
President: Mr. J. Gloury.
Vice-presidents: Messrs. M. Peters, G. Osborne and W. S. Stringer.
The secretary’s salary was fixed at £25, and Mr. C. Jewell was elected.
Treasurer: Mr T. H. B. Sharpe.
Hon. Solicitor: Mr W. W. Leggatt.
The affiliation fee was fixed at £1/1/ per team.
GRADING OF TEAMS
The grading of the teams as previously recommended was accepted; but Somerville delegates objected to being included in the senior competition as the team was not yet strong enough. However no alteration was made.
CLEARANCES
Clearances were granted to the following:- C. J. Niisson, Crib Point to Naval Depot?; N. F. Peteson, Crib Point to Teachers College, Carlton; T. B. Armstrong, Elsternwick to Frankston; A. J. Heggen, Mornington to Hastings.
- H. Wilson’s application for a clearance from Crib Point to Somerville was held over and he will appear before the League.
Umpires for the A grade will be appointed by the Country Football League. Last year the charge was £3/14/.
Umpires for B and C grades will be obtained from the Melbourne Umpires’ League.
The secretary reported having attended a meeting of the Victorian Country? Football League, and that the Peninsula League’s boundary had been extended to the eastern shores of Westernport Bay. Part of South Gippsland? previously under the jurisdiction of the P.F.L. under the V.C.F.L. district representation, had been disjointed, and was now a separate district.
THE DRAW
The A grade matches will commence on the 12th May and the B grade games on the 5th, so that the finals of those sections will not occur on the same days.
It was decided to leave Saturday, 11th August, vacant, and to try and arrange a match between a League team and a representative team from the Peninsula. A delegate stated that South Melbourne might be induced to play here.
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Following a review into football on the Peninsula, on the 24th December 1986 the Mornington Peninsula Football League amalgamated with the Nepean Football League to form the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League..
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